Smart and Final Renovation Success in Riverside, CA

Our recent project involved a major renovation for Smart and Final, a prominent market brand in Riverside, CA. This project required a comprehensive permit expediting strategy due to its scope and location. The renovation of this market, which is a significant venture for the community, needed numerous permits, including building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, health, and demo. 

Challenges

The principal challenges faced during this renovation stemmed from the Architect of Record (AOR) releasing the Construction Documents (CD) later than the desired schedule set by Smart and Final. Additionally, Riverside is known for its intricate plan check process, which posed a potential delay to the project timeline. These issues threatened to extend the duration needed to secure the necessary permits, potentially stalling the renovation.

Solutions and Strategies

To navigate these hurdles, our team implemented strategic solutions to expedite the process. By separating the demolition permit from the building permit, we ensured that the General Contractor (GC) could begin the demolition phase without waiting for the complete array of building permits. This approach considerably reduced downtime and allowed for parallel processing of subsequent permits.

Furthermore, our due diligence process proved invaluable in this project. By identifying key contacts within the city’s permitting department early on, and understanding the detailed requirements of Riverside’s permitting process, we were able to anticipate and swiftly address any issues, ensuring smoother and faster permit approvals.

Project Wins

Originally estimated at 12 weeks, our highly effective permit expediting strategies led to a significant reduction in the approval process, completing it in just 6 weeks. The project win, as described by our team, involved not only early receipt of the demolition permit but also the ability to quickly overcome any jurisdictional challenges through established local contacts and knowledge.

The renovation project for Smart and Final in Riverside, CA, was a resounding success, largely due to our strategic permit expediting services. This project underscores the effectiveness of Permit Place’s approach, particularly our emphasis on preparation, local expertise, and proactive communication with key stakeholders. By ensuring all permits were obtained in half the anticipated time, we not only met but exceeded our client’s expectations, reinforcing our reputation as a leader in permit expediting solutions.